With the loss, the Lakers fall to 20-54. They'll next host the Portland Trail Blazers (48-26) at Staples Center on Friday. The Pelicans (40-34) visit the Sacramento Kings (26-48), also on Friday.

Pelicans 90, Lakers 70 (end of third quarter)

The Pelicans continue to pull away from the Lakers by shooting a stellar 60% from the field and 66.7% (8 of 12) from three-point range through three quarters.

Pelicans forward Anthony Davis leads all scorers with 18 points while Tyreke Evans is nearing a double-double with 14 points and eight assists. Omer Asik is two points short of the mark with eight points and 10 rebounds.

Quincy Pondexter and Norris Cole have each added 10 points for New Orleans.

Jordan Clarkson is leading the Lakers with 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Tarik Black has 14 points and Ryan Kelly 12.

The Lakers are shooting 46% from the field and 33.3% from behind the arc.

Both teams have turned the ball over just four times.

Pelicans 60, Lakers 49 (halftime)

Ryan Anderson got hot late in the first half, hitting a couple of three-pointers to put the Pelicans ahead by double digits late in the second quarter.

Jordan Clarkson's reverse layup with 7.1 seconds left gave him 13 points, five assists and five rebounds in 14 minutes, but Tyreke Evans scored on the other end to close the quarter with New Orleans ahead by 11.

Evans is the high scorer for the Pelicans with 12. Anthony Davis has 10 fo New Orleans, which is shooting 57.1% from the field and 85.7% (6 of 7) from three-point range.

Tarik Black added 12 points for the Lakers, who are shooting 50% from the field.

The Pelicans have only one turnover compared to the Lakers' four.

Lakers 31, Pelicans 29 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers got impressive starts from rookies Jordan Clarkson and Tarik Black in the first quarter against the Pelicans.

Clarkson has 11 points, five assists and five rebounds after 12 minutes, while Black made all five of his shots for 10 points.

The Lakers are shooting an impressive 63.2% from the field and have only one turnover.

Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans are leading the Pelicans with six points apiece. New Orleans is shooting 60% from the field, including a perfect three for three from behind the three-point arc.

The Pelicans also turned the ball over once in a clean first quarter for both teams.

Pregame

The Lakers (20-53) return home from a five-game road trip to host the New Orleans Pelicans (39-34) on Wednesday.

The ninth-place Pelicans are hoping to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-32) for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Nick Young is out with a knee injury for the Lakers, while Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and Julius Randle (knee) are all done for the season. Jeremy Lin is questionable with an upper respiratory infection.

Jrue Holiday (leg) is out for New Orleans, while Ryan Anderson (knee) is expected to play.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out check out check out Preview: Lakers vs. New Orleans Pelicans.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.